Back to the Basics

The Bible is undoubtedly complex. However, it also possesses some simple truths that we fail to interalize. Here are some verses I’m camping out in this week.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

The things that make you a really great student, friend, athlete, worker, etc. can also make you a very bad one if satan begins to take a foothold in your life. Protect these qualities and pray that they come from a pure place.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

We often have a “what-if” mentality. We should replace the “what if” with “even if.” No matter what, as children of God, we cannot escape His love.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 (NIV)

If it’s not beautiful, He’s not done yet. Furthermore, we can look forward to heaven where everything will be in its most beautiful form. No more pain, no more tears. Only praise and the purest joy! Our earthly selves can't even fully grasp this concept.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:26 (NIV)

A lot of people focus on the “faith without deeds” part of this verse, but what’s speaking to me in this season is the “body without the spirit” part. God gave us each a unique and beautiful spirit. One of my new favorite quotes is “If the world was blind, who would you impress?”

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)

The devil wants to keep our lives so small. It's one of his greatest tactics. However, the world is big and the God’s blessings are so vast. In what area of your life can you embrace the Lord’s abundance this week? Can you take some time out of your day to sit and enjoy creation or perhaps indulge in a passion project.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

When your values are clear your choices are easy. Keeping in mind that Jesus’ burden is always light, take some time to identify the values you want your life to be based on. How can these values serve as boundaries and help you better exemplify the fruits of the spirit?

*This can also be seasonal! We're allowed to shift according to what's needed in each season of life. And when you're tempted to compare your value system to others, remember that we are all in different phases of life.

A decision or thought pattern that doesn’t align with the fruits of the Spirit can and should be an easy no. Let it be simple :) 

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:24 (NIV)

I think we can all identify with this statement. As Christians, we have the head knowledge of who Christ is. We know He is above everything, yet we allow things to overpower our faith from time to time. This is part of being human. Luckily, we can ask God for anything. When we lack faith, we can ask for more. When we have trouble believing in the loving character of God, we can ask for belief. When we can't seem to channel our sound mind, we can ask God guard our minds. We can always ask for what we need.

The believer knows that his faith and obedience are always deficient, and he will frequently ask God to enable him to live the life that pleases God. If left to our own strength and our own faith, we would never make it.

excerpt from https://www.gotquestions.org/I-believe-help-my-unbelief.html

PRAYER

Jesus, this week I want to believe these fundamental truths about who You are and what You intend for my life. Please make Your truth the loudest and most prominent thing in my mind. Allow me to lay down the burdens that feel so heavy and pick up Yours, which are always light. Thank you that I can find pure peace in You. May the circumstances I face fashion me into a more fit vessel for Your spirit. Amen.

- Bailee Chavez 🤎